by Jeff Clark, Staff Writer

LONG BEACH (GG) — Carnival Association of Long Beach (CALB) Team McMahon-Seal hosted a Family Fun Fest at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church on Aug. 23. The event featured food, vendors and some very special activities, with all proceeds going to CALB.

CALB Queen Rosalie 2026 Ashleigh Seal said the event was a win for the local non-profit.

“An event is always a success when families can come and have a great time together,” Seal said. “We had so many people come out this year, and we are so thankful for everyone, especially members of Team McMahon-Seal and Father Satish and the people of St. Thomas Catholic Church. ”

One of the biggest draws of the day was an old-fashioned dunking booth. St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School students flocked to the attraction in hopes of dunking one of their own.

“Elizabeth Mink and Kailin Hicks are beloved teachers at SVS,” she said. “The students loved seeing them in the dunking booth. We joked about adding the dunking booth to another event so more teachers and students could participate. Stay tuned. It might happen.”

Mink said she stayed in the booth for an extended time because of the number of students who wanted to send her into the water.

“Every time I thought ‘this is my last dunk,’ a new horde of kids with a handful of tickets waving around would run up with the biggest smiles you’ve ever seen,” Mink said. “There wasn’t a St. Vincent kid around who didn’t have determination in their eyes and a will in the heart to get me to the bottom of that tank. And not without my fair share of heckles and trying to throw off their game.”

Another popular attraction was the return of the wing-eating contest to St. Thomas, which Hooters of Gulfport sponsored.

“The wing-eating contest was a hit,” Seal said. “We actually used to do it one year ago at the St Thomas Fall Festival, so we asked Mr. Peter (Meleones) to bring it back to Family Fest. Mr. Peter and Mrs. Tara are always so supportive. They will be a host house at our Annual Poker Run and always serve the best wings.”

Seal said CALB will be hosting several more fundraising events. All upcoming activities can be found on the CALB Facebook page.

“Our event is a Paint with a Parent Night with Ms. Tara Meleones, the beloved art teacher at SVS,” Seal said. “CALB events are open to everyone, not just members and SVS students. The next night is Tacos and Trivia at the Long Beach Senior Center, and it’s also family-friendly. Come for a throwback of Mex Express by Chef Donald Frazer and some trivia fun.”

(Photos:  Carnival Association ff Long Beach hosted a Family Fun Fest Saturday at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church. The festival featured games, food and a rubber duck race. Students at St. Vincent De Paul Catholic School tried their best to dunk teacher Elizabeth Mink in the dunking booth. The event was hosted by Team McMahon-Seal. by Jeff Clark/The Gazebo Gazette)